Inside George Harrison’s Personal Jukebox: 40 Songs That Inspired the Quiet Beatle

By 1966, The Beatles were at the height of Beatlemania, but the frenzy surrounding the band was beginning to take its toll. Endless touring, deafening crowds, and growing controversy—sparked in part by John Lennon’s infamous remark that the band was “more popular than Jesus”—created an atmosphere where even the group themselves struggled to hear their own music live.

For George Harrison, the “Quiet Beatle,” finding moments of peace and inspiration outside of the madness was essential. While fans were screaming in stadiums, Harrison was at home filling his KB Discomat jukebox with his favorite soul, R&B, and rock records. Speaking to Record Mirror in 1965, he explained his love for it:

“It’s so much easier to have all my favourite records on the jukebox at once. It saves me going through piles of records to find the ones I want. Then, when I get sick of them, I just throw them out and put some new ones in.”

This carefully curated jukebox collection revealed the songs that Harrison returned to for inspiration during one of the most transformative years in The Beatles’ history.

The Beatles in 1966: A Turning Point

1966 marked a major shift for The Beatles. Their final tour ended at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park, with Ringo Starr later admitting:

“Nobody was listening at the shows. That was OK at the beginning, but we were playing really bad.”

Harrison echoed this, noting that the band would joke around on stage because the screaming fans drowned everything out. Meanwhile, Lennon’s “Jesus” comment had triggered boycotts, album burnings, and even threats from groups like the Ku Klux Klan, making touring increasingly dangerous.

At the same time, The Beatles were reinventing themselves in the studio. Albums like Revolver and later Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band pushed boundaries and redefined rock music. Against this backdrop, Harrison’s jukebox was a safe haven, a window into the sounds that inspired his creativity during this revolutionary year.

George Harrison’s Musical Taste: Soul, R&B, Rock, and Dylan

Harrison’s selections revealed a deep love for American rhythm and blues. His jukebox was packed with tracks from Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, and The Four Tops, blending soulful grooves with emotional depth.

But it wasn’t just soul—Harrison’s choices also included The Beach Boys, The Lovin’ Spoonful, and The Byrds, reflecting his growing interest in innovative pop and folk-rock. Unsurprisingly, Bob Dylan made an appearance as well, highlighting the friendship and admiration between the two songwriters.

The result is a list that mirrors Harrison’s eclectic musical identity: introspective, soulful, and adventurous.

George Harrison’s Personal Jukebox: The 40 Songs

1. Bob and Earl – Harlem Shuffle
2. Chuck Jackson – Good Things Come to Those Who Wait
3. Booker T. and the M.G.’s – Be My Lady
4. Bob Dylan – Can You Please Crawl Out Your Window
5. Little Jerry Williams – Baby, You’re My Everything
6. Edwin Starr – Back Street
7. Lee Dorsey – Work, Work, Work
8. The Beach Boys – The Little Girl I Once Knew
9. The Miracles – My Girl Has Gone
10. Little Richard – I Don’t Know What You’ve Got (But It’s Got Me)
11. Otis Redding – I Can’t Turn You Loose
12. Otis Redding – My Girl
13. Jackie Wilson – I Believe I’ll Love On
14. Booker T. and The M.G.’s – Plum Nellie
15. Willie Mitchell – Everything Is Gonna Be Alright
16. Joe Tex – A Sweet Woman Like You
17. The Four Tops – Something About You
18. James Brown – I Got You (I Feel Good)
19. Marvin Gaye – Ain’t That Peculiar
20. The Byrds – Turn, Turn, Turn
21. Don Covay – See Saw
22. Sounds Incorporated – I’m Comin’ Through
23. Wilson Pickett – Don’t Fight It
24. Booker T. and the M.G.’s – Bootleg
25. The Young Rascals – I Ain’t Gonna Eat My Heart Out Any More
26. Otis Redding – Respect
27. James Brown – Try Me
28. Otis Redding – I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
29. Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles – All or Nothing
30. Marvin Gaye – Pretty Little Baby
31. Fred Hughes – Oo Wee Baby, I Love You
32. The Miracles – The Tracks of My Tears
33. Joe Tex – Yum Yum
34. Edwin Starr – Agent Double-O-Soul
35. Barrett Strong – Money
36. Ritchie Barrett – Some Other Guy
37. Chuck Berry – It Wasn’t Me
38. Charlie Rich – Mohair Sam
39. The Beach Boys – Let Him Run Wild
40. The Lovin’ Spoonful – Do You Believe in Magic

Why This List Matters

Harrison’s jukebox wasn’t just a random collection of records—it was a glimpse into the music that shaped his identity as a Beatle and as a solo artist. The influence of soul and Motown can be heard in The Beatles’ mid-60s output, while his admiration for Dylan and folk-rock foreshadowed the introspective songwriting that defined his solo career.

In a year when the Beatles were under fire from critics, fans, and even extremist groups, Harrison’s jukebox stood as a personal sanctuary. It was here that he connected with the sounds that grounded him and inspired his evolution as a musician.